'Ultimate Slip 'N Slide' is no more: NBC cancels show two months after giardia halted production
NBC abandoned plans for its summer game show "The Ultimate Slip 'N Slide" Friday, two months after a health-related production shutdown.
Originally, the series, inspired by the popular Wham-O outdoor slides from the 1960s, was supposed to premiere Sunday after the Tokyo Olympics closing ceremony. Now, "Family Game Fight," hosted by celebrity spouses Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard, will premiere in that time slot (10:30 EDT/PDT).
Universal Television Alternative Studio temporarily stopped production June 2 on the Los Angeles set after a crew member tested positive for giardia, a parasite that can cause intestinal ailments, including diarrhea, in humans. In June, The Wrap, relying on unnamed sources, reported up to 40 crew members had been stricken in what one source termed an "explosive diarrhea" outbreak. NBC did not confirm those numbers.
A third-party environmental lab hired by the studio found no giardia in a test of water at the production's location, which included a well, pond and slide pool, but additional test results later revealed giardia in the surrounding area. The studio then ended further production, which was one week from completion, at that site.
"Saturday Night Live" alum Bobby Moynihan, and comedian, actor and writer Ron Funches had been scheduled to host the series.